How much do mini pigs cost?
How much do mini pigs cost?
$550 – $3,700 average upfront cost (pig & supplies)
$30 – $160 average cost per month
Average cost of a teacup pig
Mini pigs cost $500 to $3,500 on average for the animal itself, depending on the breed and coloring. The total take-home cost is about $550 to $3,700, including food and other necessities. You’ll pay about $30 to $160 per month for their food, toys, and other costs.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Mini pig | $500 – $3,500 |
| Food | $15 – $20 |
| Toys | $10 – $20 |
| Bedding | $10 – $110 |
| Food / water bowls | $15 – $50 |
| Total initial cost | $550 – $3,700 |
Mini pig cost
The mini pig itself will cost about $500 to $3,500, depending on the type. There are three main breeds of mini pig sold in America with slightly different sizes and characteristics:
Vietnamese Potbelly pig: This breed of pigs has a large belly and straight tail, and they’re usually black when purebred.
American mini pig: This breed has a calm, friendly temperament and comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
Juliana pig: This breed features more colors and spots and a longer, leaner torso than potbelly pigs. This is the most popular teacup pig breed and comes in mixes of gray, white, red, brown, or black.
Chipmunk pig: This type is crossbred with small feral pigs to get “chipmunk” stripes and shares many characteristics with Juliana pigs. They tend to be very social and easy to train.
Some people claim all mini pigs are variations of the potbelly breed or are just malnourished potbellies. This is not true. There are over 14 officially recognized miniature pig breeds.
Food
Mini pig food costs roughly $15 to $20 per bag for a 25-pound bag. Mini pigs need anywhere from half a cup to 4 cups of feed or pellets per day, along with vegetables, fruit, treats, or grass.
Pigs do not have an “off” button with food and aren’t able to tell when they’ve had enough food, so it will be your responsibility to set the proper portion control. You may think pigs are supposed to be fat, but obese pigs are often unhealthy and in pain from arthritis.
Toys
Mini pig toys cost about $10 to $20 each. Pigs are smart and have rooting instincts, so they prefer toys that stimulate their mind, like treat-dispensing toys, snuffle mats, puzzle toys, and crinkle toys. Mini pigs can learn tricks like a dog, memorize routines, and even potty train!
Bedding
Indoor pigs love nesting in soft blankets, which cost $10 to $30. Make sure you choose bedding that’s machine washable. Many pigs enjoy or at least can be trained to sleep in crates, which cost $30 to $80.
Pigs tend to rip or tear dog or cat beds, so save your money and use blankets instead.
Food / water bowls
Food and water bowls for pigs cost $15 to $50, depending on the retailer and bowl size. Pigs love to root and flip over food bowls, so you may want to invest in heavy or sturdy bowls.
Mini pig cost per month
Mini pigs cost about $30 to $160 per month for food, vet care, and extras. Your specific cost will mostly depend on the quality of its food, its health, and how many toys or treats you buy.
Pet insurance costs $15 to $75 per month or $180 to $900 per year if you choose to buy an insurance plan. Your overall costs will depend on how healthy and fit your pig is.
| Factor | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Food | $20 – $60 |
| Pet insurance | $15 – $75 |
| Toys / treats | $10 – $25 |
Teacup pig cost factors
Several factors affect the cost of a mini pig:
Breeder: Buying from a reputable breeder may cost more, but it’s worth it. They have higher standards and usually treat their animals better, which results in happier, healthier pets.
Color / pattern: Many mini pig breeders charge more for rare colors or patterns, like stripes or solid white.
Vet visits: A vet visit costs $40 to $80 for routine checkups or $100 to $800+ if your pig ever needs emergency care.
Shipping: If you don’t live close enough to pick your pig up, you’ll likely have to pay shipping fees to have your pig delivered to you. These fees can be expensive at up to $350.
Alternatives
If you know you’d like an exotic or unusual pet but aren’t sure you want a mini pig, check out these alternatives:
Ferrets cost $200 to $950 at first and $30 to $80 per month.
Rabbits cost $120 to $410 up front and $50 to $100 per month.
Guinea pigs cost $10 to $60 each and $20 to $70 per month.
Hamsters cost $100 to $250 up front and $15 to $30 per month.
Parrots cost $50 to $500 for smaller breeds and $25 to $200 per month.
Leopard geckos cost $160 to $670 at first and $25 to $60 per month.
Horses cost $1,500 to $7,000 up front and $250 to $2,500 per month.
Mini pig FAQs
How big do teacup pigs get?
Healthy teacup pigs reach about 50 to 200 pounds when fully grown when they’re 3 to 5 years old. Smaller breeds may only get up to 80 to 100 pounds. This may seem like a lot, but normal farm-raised pigs reach up to 1,000 pounds.
How long do mini pigs live?
Mini pigs can live 15 to 20 years when properly cared for. This means, like dogs or other pets, mini pigs are a serious, long-term commitment.
Do mini pigs stay small?
Mini pigs are small compared to average-sized pigs, but they do not stay as small as they are when piglets. Full-grown mini pigs can reach 100 to 200 pounds, depending on the breed.
What do mini pigs eat?
Mini pigs need a balanced diet of pig-specific pellets and fresh foods. They can eat nearly all fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables that humans eat, as long as they don’t eat the fruit’s seeds or pits.
The following list contains the foods you should NOT feed your mini pig:
Salt
Acorns
Elderberries, red berries
Raw lima or kidney beans
Tomato leaves or vine
Avocado skins or pit
Corn stalks
Rhubarb or potato leaves
Leaves from fruit trees
Broccoli, cabbage, or mustard roots or seeds
Nutmeg
Raw taro
Raw cashews
Questions to ask a mini pig breeder
Ask these questions to help you find a teacup pig from a reputable breeder:
What is the overall cost to take a mini pig home?
How many breeds do you have available?
Which gender of mini pig would you recommend? Is there a noticeable difference?
Do you recommend spaying or neutering a pet pig?
Does the mini pig need any vaccinations or vet visits before I take it home?
How long do teacup pigs usually live?
What kind of food and treats do you recommend?
What kind of blankets and toys do you prefer?
Are any of the pigs bonded? Is it okay to separate them?
How big does this breed usually get?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.